Apparatus for elastic-fluid compression.



No. 722,558. PATENTED MAR. 10, 1903-.

H. B'LAND.

APPARATUS FOR ELASTIC FLUID COMPRESSION.

' APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1902. no mon'mv e sums-sum 1.

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No. 722,558. I ,v PATENTED MAR. 10, 1903.

H. BLAND. APPARATUS FOR ELASTIC FLUID COMPRESSION.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1902.

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PATENTED MAR. 10, 1903;

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H.BLAND. APPARATUS FOR ELASTIC FLUID COMPRESSION.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1902.

PATENTED MAR. 10, 1903.

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H. BLAND.

APPARATUS FOR ELASTIC FLUID COMPRESSION. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22,1902. 10 MODEL. GSHBBTS-SHBET 6.

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Z LQ91ZFS6 v I EZVitfa'fi flzzz eyflzarzd UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY BLAND, OE WAVERLEY, NEAR SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA.

APPARATUS FOR ELASTIC-FLUID COMPRESSION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 722,558, dated March10, 1903.

Application filed September 22, 1902. Serial N0- 124A82. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY BLAND, a subject of the King of Great Britain,and a resident of Ashley street,Waverley, near Sydney, in the State ofNew South Wales and Commonwealth of Australia, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Apparatus for Elastic-Fluid Compression, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for the compressionof elastic fluids, the main object of the invention being to controlwithout recourse to inertia the expenditure of power at the variouspoints of compression-stroke, so that the power developed precedes thecompression-load and continues to increase until the final load may bemuch greater than the operative force.

My apparatus is particularly suitable for the generation of highpressures, the economy not being so great where it is desired togenerate pressures under one hundred pounds.

My invention may be simply stated to consist of a combination whichpermits the principle of toggle-levers to be fully applied to the pointthat the said levers reach their straightened positions and early enoughin the stroke to meet the resistance-pressures in thecompression-cylinders and from thence to complete the stroke by anoverstep of toggles, as

hereinafter explained, through the leverage of an oscillating floatingbeam, which imparts motion to the compressing-pistons.

According to myinvention the knee-jointed or toggle levers are used intwo sets connected or coupled together at their joints by a rod or rodsso as to maintain a uniform distance between the two sets and permitthem to work as followers, so that one set cannot move without motionbeing imparted to the other set, while the said rod or rods is or are ofsuch a length that while one set of toggles is straightened or verticalthe other set is deflected, also as one set is advancing the other isreceding from the vertical center, or vice versa. To the topjoints ofeach set of levers I attach a beam free to oscillate upon its center,also floating or free to rise and fall bodily to suit the varying planeof the said top joints. Each end of this floating beam is extended asuitable distance over the operating-levers, so

that its stroke for the compressing-pistons corresponds to that of theengine, (orshorter, if desired, to suit the stroke required of thecompressing-pistons.) The distance of lever attachment from the centerof beam may also be varied; but I find that one and one-fourth times thecompressing-piston stroke give very good results. I also find thisproportion suitable for the length of each lever. The principle of thefloating beam makes it possible to extend the stroke and to combine theenergy exerted through both sets of toggles-viz., in their straighteningand deflecting motions. The attainment of the full development oftoggle-power about one-tenth earlier in the stroke than heretofore thusallows the full thrust of the straightening set of toggles to be used upto the point that the members thereof are straightened, and from thencethis set becomethe fulcrum of the continued power to complete theremainder of the stroke. During this lastportion of stroke the finaltravel of the steam-piston is about twice that of thecompressing-pistons. The travel of this remainder of stroke is effectedand the motion continued by an overstep of the now straightened set oflevers toward the vertical center of the machine, and since this set hasnow become the fulcrum to the beam the work is transferred to the otheror deflecting set, which operate with or through a leverage much greaterthan the overhang of beam. Thus the whole force developed through thetoggles up to the time they reach their straightened positions isavailable for compression during the first nine-tenths of stroke orthereabout and then compression continues during the remainder of thestroke by the deflecting set of toggles through the extra leverage ofthe beam. In this way a very large gain in power is obtained. Theincreased stroke from the moving fulcrum being nearly double that of afixed one, the combination appears to throw a portion of the load uponthe deflecting set of toggles throughout the stroke. As hereinbeforementioned, the beam is suspended upon its free center, which allows thewhole dead-weight of the beam and operating-levers, thecompressing-pistons, and con necting-rod to be suspended in equalbalance, so that the power may be used for the work of compression. Iaccomplish this by providing the beam at its center with pivots, one ateach side, approximately knifeedged and resting in V-supports suitablyhoused in framing and with free vertical movement. These supports passdownward torest upon one end of a pivoted cradle placed within theframing at foundation, the other end of the cradle being weighted to anydesired extent to support the beam and its appendages in equal balance.This double motion of the beam insures a comparatively straight path forits piston-rod ends.

In order that my improvements may be clearly understood, I will nowrefer to the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1 to 3 arediagrammatic drawings of the compressing apparatus, being sideelevations, showing the positions of the togglelevers and beam at theintermediate, straight, and overstep, respectively. Fig. 4 is a sideelevation, partly in section, of a belt-driven compressor, while Fig. 5is a plan of same. Fig. 6 is a right-hand end elevation, partly brokenaway, of Fig. 4, but in order to prevent confusion showing the near setof toggles only and weights removed.

The same numerals refer to the same or corresponding parts of themechanism.

1 represents the foundation or bed.

2 and 3 are the levers forming one set of toggles, and 4 and 5 thelevers forming the other set of toggles.

. 6 is the rod or rods coupling the two sets of toggles at theknee-joints 7 and 8.

The lovers 2 and 4 are pivoted to the bedplate 1 at 9 and 10,respectively, while the levers 3 and 5 are pivoted at 11 and 12 to theoscillating floating beam 13. The said beam 13 is free to oscillate andrise or fall bodily to suit the varying plane of the top joints, beingsuspended on the knife-edged pivots 14 on the supports 15, which arebalanced on one end of a pivoted cradle 16, the other end of whichcarries the weights 17.

18 and 19 are the rods of the compressingpistons 20 and 21 in thecylinders 22 and 23, which are of the ordinary type provided withvalves, as will be Well understood.

24 is the connecting-rod from the engine.

25 is driving-pulley, and 26 crank-shaft. 27 is framing for the supports15.

The operation of the apparatusis as follows: The fully-deflected set oftoggles 2 3, Fig. 3- the angle embraced being about one hundreddegrees-is in a position where the full power of the engine may beexerted through the connecting-rod 24, the coupling-rod 6 maintaining auniform distance between the two sets of toggles 2 3 and 4 5, whichlatter set is in the overstep position. When motion is so imparted, theangle of the toggles 2 3 will constantly increase, and their thrusttherefore becomes more powerful until each set is at an equal angle,Fig. 1, which I term equilibrium and which occurs at about seven-tenthsof the compression-stroke. From this point a portion of the liftis'thrown upon the set of toggles '4 5 and exerted through the beam by apulling-down motion until the set 2 3 is quite straight, Fig. 2. Afterthis point, the progress of the piston 20 being slightly slower, theoperating-toggles 2 3 begin to overstep or knee toward the verticalcenter, augmenting the power by helping to push out thedepressing-toggles 4 5 to their point of greatest flexionnamely, to thereverse position shown in 7 Figs. 3 and 4-for the reason that the set 23 becomes the fulcrum to the beam while the work is transferred to thedeflecting set 4 5. As the connecting-rod 24 reciprocates the two setscome into these relative positions alternately. The lower levers 2 and 4of bothsets of toggles are connected in such manner to thefoundation-plate as to secure lateral steadiness of thrust to the beam.

Where it is desirable to bring the operative crank of engine close up tothe toggles, I prefer to use two sets of rods to couple the toggles, sothat the joint of the crank-connecting rod can be carried rearward andwell back between them, so as to get a long rod.

The moving power is applied at the kneejoint or at any suitable positionupon the coupling rod or rods from the operating engine, crank, or othermotion, so thatI obtain a reciprocating motion at right angles to theengine.

For air-compression I prefer to use singleacting cylinders withtrunk-pistons, while for refrigerating purposes the usual type ofsingle-acting cylinders may be employed. The engine may form part of theapparatus or it may be independent thereof.

One of the advantages resulting from this apparatus is that where directsteam thrust is used the steam may be cut ofi at the point of deliverypressure and the expanding steam will be suflicient to continue themotion and expel the compressed charge.

I Would have it understood that where power is compared I mean with likecylinders and stroke.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In anapparatus of the class described,the combination of two sets of togglelevers coupled together, a floatingbeam receiving motion from said toggle-levers, and cylinders containingpistons operable by said floating beam.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of two setsof toggle-levers coupled together, a beam receiving motion from saidtoggle-levers, cylinders containing pistons operable by the outer endsof said beam, and a yieldingly-mounted membersupporting said beambetween the points at which the effect of the respective toggle-leversis applied thereto.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of two setsof toggle-levers from said toggle-levers, cylinders containing pistonsoperable by the outer ends of said beam, a support for the lever betweenthe points at which the efiect of the respective toggle-levers isapplied thereto, and a rocking counterbalanced cradle for sustainingsaid support.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of two setsof toggle-levers, one lever in each case being connected with theframework, a floating beam connected with the other levers of therespective toggles, and cylinders containing pistons operable by thefloating beam, the effect of said beam being applied to the respectivepistons at points beyond that at which the effect of

